STAFF REPORT ISB: The government has approved Rs 133 million for the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) to conduct feasibility study for enhancing its transmission capacity of 500 kV transmission network.

“The study will benefit NTDC by exploring the impact of introducing advance technology like Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) including series shunt compensation and Power System Stabilizers (PSSs) on its primary 500 kV network,” says the study.

It is important to mention here that NTDC operates and maintains 12 500 KV and twenty nine 220 KV Grid Stations, 5077 km of 500 KV transmission line and 7359 km of 220 KV transmission line in Pakistan. There is no PSDP allocation for the project in the current fiscal year. It has to be included in the PSDP for execution. It could be included only if re-appropriation of existing power sector PSDP is made, the source added.

According to the project documents, NTDC has submitted total cost of Rs 133 million including a foreign exchange component of Rs 106.8 million. However, source of foreign financing of the project has not been provided.

The new technologies will help enhance the transfer capability of NTDCs network and bring it in line with the transmission requirement for anticipated generation expansion.

Pakistan is faced with an estimated 6000 MW deficit of energy which is badly impacting its economy. The daily long power outages have resulted in a two percent GDP loss to economy during the last decade.